Russians were asked not to mindlessly scroll through beautiful apartment listings

Phishing links in fake listings are the main threat: they can look like real platforms (Avito, Yandex.Nedvizhimost, etc.), but they actually steal passwords and card details. Before you click, check the website address in the browser bar, call the seller directly using a number you find separately, and don't send prepayments to strangers - even if the listing looks really nice and cheap.

I wouldn't put so much emphasis on phishing, honestly! Yes, sure, it exists, but people run into straightforward fraud way more often - when someone takes a deposit for a non-existent apartment or one that's already been sold. That's simpler and it plays on trust! So the first rule: never send money until you've seen the apartment in person and checked the owner's documents.

Second thing - how pushy the seller is. If someone's rushing you, doesn't want to meet, asks you to transfer money right now, demands a down payment without a viewing - that's a red flag! Real owners usually take the process more calmly. Plus check the listing on the site: go to Avito or Yandex.Real Estate directly through your browser, not through a link from an email, and find that same offer. If it's not there - that's 100% a scam!

And one more tip: meet in a safe place, or better yet with someone else! Lots of scammers catch people in empty apartments. I know cases where people got robbed right after the viewing. It sounds scary, but that's market reality, so it's better to play it safe!

# The main rule: never send money to someone you found online through an ad, even if everything seems legit. Deposits, commissions, document verification - all of this can be done through trusted payment methods or in person with a realtor present. If someone's pushing you to urgently transfer even a small amount to a card or wallet - that's a red flag.

Here's a practical tip that people somehow keep forgetting: before clicking a link in an ad, open the platform itself (Avito, Yandex, etc.) in a new tab and search for that listing by its number. Check if the details match - and most importantly, where the link in the message came from. If the contact is writing from a number that's not listed in the ad, or if they're trying to chat outside the built-in messenger, pushing for WhatsApp right from the first messages - that immediately raises questions.

One more important thing: photos in ads are often stolen from other sites or social media, so ask the owner to send you a photo of the apartment with their phone number written on a piece of paper next to some object. A real landlord will agree without any issues, but a scammer usually won't.

Have you noticed that even on official platforms like Avito, listings can be posted by a scammer who just stole the photos and description from a real owner? Check the seller's profile - look at how many listings they have, their activity history, and reviews. If someone suddenly has 15 apartment listings in different cities in one week, that's a huge red flag. And definitely call the phone number from the listing instead of messaging through the platform's chat, just to make sure the number actually belongs to the owner or a real estate agent.

Check everything directly with official websites and agencies, don't click links from listings. If you spot a nice offer, search for the agency name yourself, call them and ask if they actually posted that property. Real agents won't be offended by that kind of caution.

Another important thing: be careful if the seller is rushing you to make a decision, asking for a deposit upfront, or offering some unusual payment method (crypto, through third parties, whatever). A normal process means viewing the apartment, collecting all the documents, and going through a bank or notary - no rushing around.

And yeah, social media, messengers, and unofficial channels are the worst choice for this kind of thing. Use verified platforms that filter listings and offer guarantees. Sure, there might be fewer pretty photos, but at least you know who to complain to if something goes wrong.